Browns' offense not same without Gordon

ASSOCIATED PRESS

September 12, 2013 12:08 AM

This is a 2013 photo of Josh Gordon of the Cleveland Browns NFL football team. This image reflects the Cleveland Browns active roster as of Thursday, May 23, 2013 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)ERIE TIMES-NEWS

BEREA, Ohio -- Josh Gordon took care of his outstanding traffic tickets in court this week.

Unfortunately for the Browns, he's still paying the price for breaking some NFL rules.

Cleveland's offense will be missing its top wide receiver again this week when the Browns play at Baltimore against a Ravens team that has had more than a week to recover from an embarrassing season-opening loss to Peyton Manning and Denver.

Gordon will sit out as he serves the second game of his two-game suspension for violating the league's policy on substance abuse.

On Sunday, the Browns didn't have Gordon and lost their season opener, 23-10 to Miami. Without Gordon, Cleveland lacked a legitimate deep threat and the Dolphins defense didn't have to worry about much more than getting after quarterback Brandon Weeden, who was sacked six times and hit 16 -- more than any other quarterback in Week 1.

The Browns had insisted they could survive without Gordon. It proved to be harder than they imagined.

"Well, he changes the way you play us as an offense, just coverage-wise, protection-wise, stuff like that," Weeden said.

Gordon's absence allowed the Dolphins to stack defenders near the line of scrimmage and slow Cleveland's rushing game. Running back Trent Richardson carried the ball 13 times for 47 yards, but gained just 21 after the Browns' first drive.

Gordon, a physical force who is big enough to outmuscle linebackers, simply makes the Browns better by being on the field.

"We knew the value that Josh has to the team, but I do see the other guys having the ability to step up," Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said.